Because of low cytotoxicity effects and capable of absorbing near infrared light in the solar spectrum, copper-based ternary semiconductor nanocrystals have shown promises in the fabrication of photovoltaic devices. However, their photocatalytic application is its infancy. Here we demonstrate first sustainable photocatalytic properties of CuInSe2 nanocrystals for visible light-driven organic dye degradation in water. We have found that the size of the nanocrystals, which are varied from 1.5 to 5 nm, and charge transport properties of their surface passivating ligands control the photocatalytic properties. Most importantly, through solution-phase electrochemical characterization, we also show that thermodynamic driving force for oxygen reduction is the dominant contributor to photocatalysis over columbic interaction energy of electron-hole pairs.<br/>

Size- and surface ligand- dependent photocatalytic performance of CuInSe2 nanocrystals in water

251st National Meeting (2016)

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